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Old Town & Khao San

Bangkok

Rattanakosin, the royal old town, with the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun across the river, and the backpacker streets of Banglamphu around Khao San Road just to the north.

Best for First visit · Budget · Nightlife

Transport
2/5
Sights
5/5
Value
5/5
Quiet
2/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$80/night · 30 min to Siam

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Old Town & Khao San on the map

Why stay here

  • Walk to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
  • The cheapest rooms close to the sights
  • River boats and street food on every corner

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Backpackers and budget travellers
  • Travellers who want to sightsee on foot

Not ideal if…

  • You want the Skytrain on your doorstep
  • You want quiet nights near Khao San
  • You want malls and modern Bangkok

What it's like

Rattanakosin is the island the city was founded on in 1782. Its temples and palaces are Bangkok's main sights, and most are within a short walk or boat ride of each other. Just north, Banglamphu mixes old shophouses and riverside Phra Athit Road with Khao San Road, Bangkok's famous backpacker strip.

It's the cheapest place to stay near the sights, from hostels to small riverside boutique hotels. The catch is transport: the Skytrain doesn't come here, so you rely on river boats, taxis and the MRT at Sanam Chai. Khao San and Soi Rambuttri are loud until late, but a few streets away it's calm.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Khao San Road

    Bars, street food and stalls, busiest after dark.

  • Soi Rambuttri

    Leafy lane of guesthouses and cafés, a little calmer.

  • Phra Athit Road

    Riverside street with small bars, cafés and Phra Sumen Fort.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Chao Phraya Express boats from Phra Arthit and Tha Chang piers, the MRT Blue Line at Sanam Chai near Wat Pho, and taxis or tuk-tuks elsewhere.
To Siam
About 30 minutes
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
About 70 minutes: Airport Rail Link to Makkasan, then the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai; a taxi is often quicker outside rush hour.

Nearby attractions

  • Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew

    The royal palace and the Emerald Buddha; dress code covers shoulders and knees.

  • Wat Pho

    The 46-metre Reclining Buddha and Thailand's best-known massage school.

  • Wat Arun

    Temple of Dawn across the river, a few baht by cross-river ferry from Tha Tien.

  • Golden Mount

    Hilltop temple at Wat Saket with views over the old town.

Where to eat and drink

  • Khao San Road

    Pad thai stalls, cheap beer and bars that go on late.

  • Phra Athit Road

    Small bars with live music, popular with Thai students.

  • Tha Tien

    Riverside terraces opposite Wat Arun at sunset.

Where to stay in Old Town & Khao San

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Chakrabongse Villas

Why we like it: Handful of villas in a royal family garden on the river.

Typical luxury rate in Old Town & Khao San: ~$205/night

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Boutique pick

Sala Rattanakosin

Why we like it: Riverside rooms looking straight across at Wat Arun.

Typical mid-range rate in Old Town & Khao San: ~$80/night

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Boutique pick

Riva Surya Bangkok

Why we like it: Riverside hotel with a pool on Phra Athit Road.

Typical mid-range rate in Old Town & Khao San: ~$80/night

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Hotels in Old Town & Khao SanMid-range from ~$80/night

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